Lululemon Shorts Review: Hotty Hot and Wunder Train
These lululemon shorts are worth every penny
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
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Lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 2.5"
If you need to update your wardrobe for warm-weather workouts, look no further than lululemon. We love the brand’s workout shoes, yoga mats, and leggings, and we’re happy to report lululemon shorts are another knockout.
We tested the Hotty Hot running shorts and Wunder Train bike shorts and think both are comfortable, functional, and stylish. Like most lululemon gear, they’re on the expensive side, but we think the quality makes them worth the price.
What are lululemon shorts?
Made with lululemon’s iconic fabrics such as Swift and Everlux, lululemon shorts are just as comfortable and functional as your favorite leggings.
Lightweight, sweat-wicking, and quick drying.
The Hotty Hot running shorts are one of the brand’s best-selling pairs of shorts. Made of Swift fabric—a four-way stretch-woven blend of polyester and Lycra elastane—these shorts are lightweight, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying. They’re lined for extra coverage and have mesh paneling along the bottom for added breathability. They also have reflective detailing along the bottom for nighttime jogs and two pockets—one exterior zip pocket and one interior stash pocket—to stash small items like your credit cards and keys.
They come in two inseam lengths, 2.5 and 4 inches, and both high- and low-rise styles. They’re available in women’s sizes 0 to 20 and 15 color options including turquoise, hot pink, and neon yellow.
Designed for strength, HIIT, and cycling.
The Wunder Train shorts are another popular pair we tested. Designed for strength training, HIIT, and cycling, these lululemon bike shorts are made of Everlux fabric—a nylon-Lycra elastane blend—that wicks away sweat and boasts four-way stretch for the utmost comfort.
They come in three inseam options—4, 6, and 8 inches—so you can choose how much coverage you’d like. They’re available in women’s sizes 0 to 20 and nine colors including lavender, kelly green, and navy.
How much are lululemon shorts?
The Hotty Hot shorts cost $68 and the Wunder Trains cost $64. While lululemon’s shorts are certainly high quality options, they are on the more expensive side. If you’re not looking to spend that much, you can get classic running shorts from Nike and Adidas for about half the price.
How to wash lululemon shorts
Both the Hotty Hot and Wunder Train shorts are easy to care for—simply machine wash cold and tumble dry low. You may want to consider line-drying to help the elastic last longer, but it’s not necessary according to lululemon’s care instructions.
lululemon Hotty Hot Lined Short review
What we like
These shorts keep you comfortable on your runs even in the hottest weather.
When I started testing, I immediately understood why these shorts are so popular. They were insanely comfortable during hot and sweaty runs in 80-plus degree heat—in fact, they were so comfortable I almost forgot I was wearing shorts. I didn’t experience any chafing or sticky fabric from sweating profusely, even during longer, 45-minute treks.
The waistband is thick and supportive—it held firmly in place during my runs and I never found myself adjusting or hiking my shorts up, even when I had my keys and credit card in the pockets. The shorts fit me well as is, but the drawstring is easy to adjust, should you need to tighten the fit.
I also like that there are multiple rises and inseams available. I loved the combination of the shorter inseam and high-rise style I tested, but if you prefer a low-rise fit or a longer inseam you can still enjoy the comfort the Hotty Hot shorts have to offer.
What we don’t like
They're pricier than other shorts.
The only downside to these shorts is the price. At $68, they’re more than twice as expensive as a pair of Nike Tempos. The Hotty Hots feel more lightweight and, as far as running shorts go, are more stylish than the Tempos, but the price difference may be too much for some runners.
lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Short review
What we like
The 4-inch inseam is the perfect length.
The Wunder Train shorts were excellent for strength training, yoga, and running. The Everlux fabric feels silky smooth to the touch and stretches to move with you while you exercise. These shorts are tight enough to stay in place but didn’t feel overly compressive. And like with the Hotty Hots, the drawstring is easy to adjust if you need them tighter on the waist.
The 4-inch inseam was the perfect length for me—they offered enough coverage around my thighs but still felt somewhat stylish under oversized tees and sweatshirts. The fabric is thick and opaque, which prevents obvious panty lines with these shorts, despite their skin-tight fit.
What we don’t like
They can be prone to chafing.
Overall, these are great shorts for many types of exercise. However, they did start to ride up during my runs. This is pretty typical of bike shorts and I didn’t find it uncomfortable, but if you’re prone to chafing you may want to consider the 6- or 8-inch inseam options.
And like with the Hotty Hots, the Wunder Trains are pretty expensive. These shorts are extremely comfy, you may not be able to justify the price, especially when there are plenty of cheaper options available on Amazon.
Are lululemon shorts worth it?
Yes, they’re worth the high price tag
It's easy to see why both of these are so popular.
Though expensive, I think lululemon shorts are definitely worth the price. I look forward to wearing them and I reach for them much more than my other workout shorts from Nike or Soffe.
Both the Hotty Hots and Wunder Trains live up to the high quality we’ve come to expect from lululemon—they’re both extremely comfy and functional for many types of workouts, and they feel like they will last a long time. They’re stylish to boot, and with multiple inseam and rise options to choose from, there’s a combination that will work for many coverage and style preferences. And no matter your preferred exercise method, we think lululemon has a pair of shorts that will work for you.